One of the world's top sprinters and long jumpers during a 15-year span in the 1930s and 1940s, Eulace Peacock achieved his greatest fame just prior to World War II. His speed and jumping ability rivaled that of Jesse Owens, his top rival during that period.
An All-State Athlete in football, basketball and track while at Union High School in New Jersey, Peacock narrowed his focus to track and field when he entered Temple University. After tying the world 100m record of 10.3 in 1934, he staked his claim to track and field stardom with two major upsets in 1935. He won the AAU 100 that year in a wind-aided 10.2, defeating a field that included Hall of Famers Owens and Ralph Metcalfe. He followed that with a long jump victory over Owens, leaping 26' 3" for a career best. During the next several days, he defeated Owens twice more in the sprints. Overall, he bested Owens seven of 10 times in the sprints and long jump. He lost his chance for Olympic glory in 1936 when a pulled thigh muscle kept him off the Olympic team.
A versatile athlete, he also won the AAU pentathlon title six times between 1933 and 1945. Following his retirement, he remained active in the sport as a certified official.